Necrotoxigenic Escherichia coli from sheep and goats produce a new type of cytotoxic necrotizing factor (CNF3) associated with the eae and ehxA genes

Fecal samples from sheep and goats were screened by tissue-culture assays and PCR for the presence of necrotoxigenic Escherichia coli (NTEC) producing cytotoxic necrotizing factors (CNFs). Of the 18 NTEC strains assayed, four were positive for the cnf1 gene while 14 strains were negative for the cnf1 and cnf2 genes. All of the NTEC strains had the eae gene and most of them also carried the ehxA gene. Moreover, all the cnf1– cnf2– NTEC strains were negative for several virulence markers associated with CNF1+ or CNF2+ strains. The cnf gene present in one of these strains was sequenced and analysis of the gene product revealed a new type of CNF, which was named CNF3 (and the coding gene cnf3). Oligonucleotide primers were designed to PCR-amplify a fragment of cnf3. The results showed that all strains examined in this study, except one cnf1+strain, were cnf3+. The association of cnf3 with eae and ehxA suggests that cnf3+ NTEC strains might be pathogenic for humans. [Int Microbiol 2007; 10(1):47-55

Sharing Human-Generated Observations by Integrating HMI and the Semantic Sensor Web

Current “Internet of Things” concepts point to a future where connected objects gather meaningful information about their environment and share it with other objects and people. In particular, objects embedding Human Machine Interaction (HMI), such as mobile devices and, increasingly, connected vehicles, home appliances, urban interactive infrastructures, etc., may not only be conceived as sources of sensor information, but, through interaction with their users, they can also produce highly valuable context-aware human-generated observations. We believe that the great promise offered by combining and sharing all of the different sources of information available can be realized through the integration of HMI and Semantic Sensor Web technologies. This paper presents a technological framework that harmonizes two of the most influential HMI and Sensor Web initiatives: the W3C’s Multimodal Architecture and Interfaces (MMI) and the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) Sensor Web Enablement (SWE) with its semantic extension, respectively. Although the proposed framework is general enough to be applied in a variety of connected objects integrating HMI, a particular development is presented for a connected car scenario where drivers’ observations about the traffic or their environment are shared across the Semantic Sensor Web. For implementation and evaluation purposes an on-board OSGi (Open Services Gateway Initiative) architecture was built, integrating several available HMI, Sensor Web and Semantic Web technologies. A technical performance test and a conceptual validation of the scenario with potential users are reported, with results suggesting the approach is soun

Optimization of topical cidofovir penetration using microparticles.

Edelfosine is the prototype molecule of a family of anticancer drugs collectively known as synthetic alkyl-lysophospholipids. This drug holds promise as a selective antitumor agent, and a number of preclinical assays are in progress. In this study, we observe the accumulation of edelfosine in brain tissue after its oral administration in Compritol® and Precirol® lipid nanoparticles (LN). The high accumulation of edelfosine in brain was due to the inhibition of P-glycoprotein by Tween® 80, as verified using a P-glycoprotein drug interaction assay. Moreover, these LN were tested in vitro against the C6 glioma cell line, which was later employed to establish an in vivo xenograft mouse model of glioma. In vitro studies revealed that edelfosine-loaded LN induced an antiproliferative effect in C6 glioma cell line. In addition, in vivo oral administration of drug-loaded LN in NMRI nude mice bearing a C6 glioma xenograft tumor induced a highly significant reduction in tumor growth (p < 0.01) 14 days after the beginning of the treatment. Our results showed that Tween® 80 coated Compritol® and Precirol® LN can effectively inhibit the growth of C6 glioma cells in vitro and suggest that edelfosine-loaded LN represent an attractive option for the enhancement of antitumor activity on brain tumors in vivo

Assessing the risk of robbery in bank branches to reduce impact on personnel

Financiado para publicación en acceso aberto: Universidade da Coruña/CISUG[Abstract] According to existing literature, bank robberies can have a considerable impact on the people involved (employees, customers, and police officers), even if the direct economic losses are negligible. Consequently, this article presents a model to assess the risk of bank robbery, with the aim of reducing the impact on the people and prioritizing the investments in security measures. It is based on the MIVES (Spanish acronym for the Integrated Value Model for Sustainability Assessment) method and it was combined with Monte Carlo simulation as a way of taking into account the uncertainty. Correlations were also modeled, for simulation purposes. Indicators for addressing issues related to security features, employees, operational procedures, and physical and social environment were defined. The model was applied to two fictitious but realistic sets of cases. The first simulation provides a quick overview of the risk level of a fictitious bank, before collecting the full set of data from hundreds or thousands of branches. The second simulation analyzes the risk variation of a specific bank branch over time. The model was also used to assess the risk index of 636 real branches belonging to a Spanish bank. All the results are presented and discussed in depth. The model allows the user to identify the weak points of a branch, so that corrective measures can be taken

Morpho-physiological plant quality when biochar and vermicompost are used as growing media replacement in urban horticulture

Peat moss is the most used soilless substrate in the production of container plants in floriculture. Nevertheless, the drainage of peat bogs due to the peat extraction has increased the necessity of seeking products that could replace the peat that is used in plant production. Therefore, a comparative study was conducted to evaluate the effect of a biochar (B) - vermicompost (V) mixture, as a partial substitute for peat-based substrates, on the morpho-physiological characteristics of ornamental plants. Different blends containing B and V were compared to a baseline peat-based substrate (S) as control in the cultivation of two ornamental bedding plant species that are widely used in urban areas: geranium (Pelargonium peltatum) and petunia (Petunia hybrida). Plant growth and physiological parameters were assessed. Results showed that it is possible to grow container plants of these two species with commercial quality, using a peat-based substrate mixed with biochar and/or vermicompost (up to 30% V and 12% B). Plants in these substrates showed a similar or enhanced physiological response to those grown in the control using commercial peat-based substrate.This work was partially supported by the projects CTQ2013-46804-C2-1-R and CGL2016-76498-R of the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness and the European Regional Development Funds (ERDF). The authors wish to thank the Horticultural Department and Carbon Sequestration and Management Center of Ohio State University for providing materials and facilities for this investigation. Similarly, the authors are deeply grateful to the following people: Mrs. Loewe and Dr. J. Altland from Application Technology Research Unit at Wooster OSU campus for their laboratory assistance in determining the physical properties substrate mixtures. Miss S. Stieve and Dr P. Jourdan from the Ornamental Germoplam Center at Columbus OSU campus are also thanked for their laboratory assistance in the accurate and precise weighing of leaves

Antithrombotic treatment in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation: a practical approach

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) in the elderly is a complex condition. It has a direct impact on the underuse of antithrombotic therapy reported in this population. Discussion: All patients aged >= 75 years with AF have an individual yearly risk of stroke > 4 %. However, the risk of hemorrhage is also increased. Moreover, in this population it is common the presence of other comorbidities, cognitive disorders, risk of falls and polymedication. This may lead to an underuse of anticoagulant therapy. Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are at least as effective as conventional therapy, but with lesser risk of intracranial hemorrhage. The simplification of treatment with these drugs may be an advantage in patients with cognitive impairment. The great majority of elderly patients with AF should receive anticoagulant therapy, unless an unequivocal contraindication. DOACs may be the drugs of choice in many elderly patients with AF. Summary: In this manuscript, the available evidence about the management of anticoagulation in elderly patients with AF is reviewed. In addition, specific practical recommendations about different controversial issues (i.e. patients with anemia, thrombocytopenia, risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, renal dysfunction, cognitive impairment, risk of falls, polymedication, frailty, etc.) are provided

MEGARA Optical design: the new integral field unit and multi-object spectrograph for the GTC 10m telescope

We describe the optical design of MEGARA, the future optical Integral Field Unit (IFU) and Multi-Object Spectrograph (MOS) for the 10.4-m Gran Telescopio CANARIAS (GTC). MEGARA is being built by a Consortium of public research institutions led by the Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM, Spain) that also includes INAOE (Mexico), IAA-CSIC (Spain) and UPM (Spain)

Ansiedad por la Imagen Corporal en Universitarios de Ciencias de la Salud Comparaciones por Sexo

El objetivo de esta investigación consistió comparar los perfiles de ansiedad por la imagen corporal de mujeres y hombres universitarios de ciencias de la salud. La muestra total fue de 443 universitarios; 201 mujeres y 242 hombres, con edades entre los 17 y 20 años. El abordaje adoptado en la investigación se enmarcó dentro de un enfoque cuantitativo con un diseño descriptivo tipo encuesta. Los resultados del análisis multivariante de la varianza, seguido por los análisis de varianza univariados, muestran que en general las mujeres manifiestan una mayor ansiedad en relación a las partes de su cuerpo que tienen que ver con peso corporal (F = 20.87, p &lt; .001) mientras que los hombres lo hacen por partes de su aspecto físico que no guardan relación con su peso corporal (F = 17.74, p &lt; .001). No obstante, es preciso desarrollar más investigación al respecto pues el tema trasciende del todo los alcances de la presente investigación. This paper focuses on comparing the anxiety profiles of body image in women and men of health sciences university students. A total sample of 443 university students (201 women and 242 men) aged between 17 to 20 years was used in this study. The approach adopted in the research was framed within a quantitative approach with a descriptive survey-type design. The results of the multivariate analysis of variance, followed by the univariate analyzes of variance, show that in general women manifest greater anxiety in relation to the parts of their body that have to do with body weight (F = 20.87, p &lt;. 001), while men do so for parts of their physical appearance that are not related to their body weight (F = 17.74, p &lt;.001). It is, therefore, important to carry out more research in this regard since the subject completely transcends the scope of the present study. &nbsp

Buenas prácticas en financiamiento y cash management para empresas inmobiliarias promotoras de departamentos entre los años 2012 y 2016

La presente tesis presenta una investigación sobre las buenas prácticas en financiamiento y cash management que pueden desarrollar las empresas promotoras inmobiliarias de departamentos en el Perú. El análisis se basó en la consultoría con diversos expertos en el sector, todos ellos altos funcionarios en diversos tipos de inmobiliarias. Asimismo, se analizó el caso emblemático de la quiebra de la que fue en su momento la inmobiliaria más grande del país buscando comprender los principales motivos de su colapso. La metodología utilizada ha sido el enfoque cualitativo y fenomenológico ya que, a través de una lógica inductiva, los investigadores buscan generar ideas para responder a la pregunta planteada de la investigación mediante la exploración y descripción del fenómeno. Entre los aportes de la investigación, se evidenció la existencia de buenas prácticas comunes que permiten generar mejores resultados económicos en los proyectos inmobiliarios de departamentos, indistintamente si fuesen orientados a mercados de vivienda social o de lujo.This thesis presents an investigation on what good practices in financing and cash management can be found in real estate developer companies of departaments in Peru. The analysis was based on consulting with various experts in the sector, all senior officials in various types of real estate groups. Likewise, the emblematic case of the bankruptcy of what was at the time the largest real estate company in the country, seeking to understand the main reasons for its collapse was analyzed. The methodology used was the qualitative and phenomenological approach since by means of an inductive logic, researchers search through the exploration and description of the phenomenon, generate ideas to answer the question posed by the research. Among the contributions of the research was the existence of good common practices that allow generating better economic results in the real estate projects of departments, indistinctly if they were oriented to social housing or luxury markets.Tesi

The development of creativeness and education at work in the medical sciences

El significado de la educación en el trabajo ha evolucionado en el tiempo, su máximo promotor el Dr. Fidel Ilizástigui Dupuy fue madurando el concepto a lo largo de los años a partir de la concepciones marxistas – leninistas y martianas de vinculación del estudio y el trabajo, su aplicación por Fidel Castro como principio de la educación cubana y a partir de sus propias experiencias, el estudio de lo más novedoso en materia de enseñanza médica y pedagogía y mediante la observación y análisis de las tendencias en la educación médica de diversos países que visitó. Su concepción se fue ampliando en contenido desde considerarla como una forma organizativa de la enseñanza hasta entenderla como principio rector de la educación médica en estrecha relación con la integración docente – asistencial – investigativa y el método de solución de problemas unido al desarrollo de independencia cognoscitiva y desarrollo de un pensamiento creador. Sus postulados mantienen vigencia a la par que se actualizan y generan nuevas investigaciones. Su correcta aplicación incide en mejoría de la asistencia y la calidad de los servicios. En esta dirección se pudo constar en la práctica educativa ascensos notables en algunas dimensiones de la creatividad en los estudiantes de tercer año de la carrera que cursan sus estudios en el Hospital Universitario “Comandante Faustino Pérez Hernández” de Matanzas, lo cual confirma los presupuestos teóricos en la práctica así como los niveles de satisfacción de los estudiantes que se elevaron a planos superiores.The meaning of the education at work has evolved with ages. Its principal promoter, Dr. Fidel Ilizástigui Dupuy, kept developing this concept on the basis of Marxist – Leninist conceptions, Martí’s conception of the link between study and job and its application by Fidel Castro as a principle of the Cuban Education, from his own experience along the years, as well as from the study of the newest in terms of medical teaching and pedagogy and through the observation and analysis of the medical education tendencies in the different countries he visited. His conception was getting wide in content, from being considered as a teaching form of organization, to being understood as a leading principle of medical education, in a close relationship with the teaching – assistive – investigative integration and the problem solving method together with the development of cognitive independency and of a creative thought. His postulates keep current, at the same time they get updated and generate new researches. Its correct application allows to improve medical assistance and the quality of services. In this direction it was possible to confirm considerable enhancements in some dimensions of creativeness in third year medical students who attend “Comandante Faustino Pérez Hernández” University Hospital in Matanzas, which supports the theoretical foundations in the praxis. Also, the students’ levels of satisfaction increased highly &nbsp